Safety ramp for dumpster

ABSTRACT

A trash dumpster includes one or more transition elements, e.g., one or more safety ramps, which span from the above-ground dumpster bed adjacent to a side or end opening of the dumpster to the ground or other external surface when the ramp is deployed into an operating position. The ramp provides a step-free pathway extending between the interior bottom surface of the container and the external surface on which a person may more safely carry, wheelbarrow, or drive debris into the dumpster. The ramp may be integral to the dumpster bed, or may be removably attached so as to allow stowage in a compartment located underneath or on the side of the dumpster when not in use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of thefollowing copending Design Patent applications, the entire contents ofeach of which are hereby incorporated by reference, and for whichbenefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120: 29/149,247, filed on Oct. 9,2001 by Thomas M. Lepine, entitled “Dumpster Ramp”; 29/150,128, filed onNov. 7, 2001 by Thomas M. Lepine, entitled “Self-Enclosed Ramp for aRoll-Off Dumpster”; 29/151,839, filed on Dec. 13, 2001 by Thomas M.Lepine, entitled “Curb Ramp”; 29/152,487 filed on Dec. 26, 2001 byThomas M. Lepine and Richard T. Ross, entitled “Safety Ramp forDumpster”; 29/154,114 filed on Jan. 22, 2002 by Thomas M. Lepine,entitled “Dumpster Door Hold-Down”; 29/154,115 filed on Jan. 22, 2002 byThomas M. Lepine, entitled “Folding Dumpster Ramp”; 29/156,021 filed onFeb. 25, 2002 by Thomas M. Lepine and Richard T. Ross, entitled “HeavyEquipment Ramp for Use With Dumpsters or Containers”; 29/158,800 filedon Apr. 11, 2002 by Thomas M. Lepine and Richard T. Ross, entitled“Heavy Equipment Ramp”; 29/163,471 filed on Jul. 18, 2002 by Thomas M.Lepine, entitled “Dumpster Ramp, Pin, and Under Carriage”; 29/165,705filed on Aug. 16, 2002 by Thomas M. Lepine, entitled “Heavy EquipmentRamp”; and 29/165,856 filed on Aug. 20, 2002 by Thomas M. Lepine,entitled “Safety Ramp for Dumpster”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Work place safety is increasing in importance. The OccupationalSafety and Health Administration (OSHA) has responsibility in the UnitedStates for worker and workplace safety. In many cases, OSHA requiresemployers to provide and pay for safety related equipment. Based uponOSHA statistics, 12.2 injuries or illnesses are reported for every 100workers. More than 1,200 construction workers were killed in 1998, a 6%increase from 1997. Prevention of accidents is generally considered tobe much more cost-effective than correction of a safety problem after anaccident, in terms of avoiding property damage and work stoppage, aswell as avoidance of human injury or death. OSHA estimates that forevery $1 invested in worker safety and health, employers can savebetween $4-$6 in accident-related costs.

[0003] The construction industry, among others, relies upon relativelylarge trash receptacles, or “dumpsters”, to collect work site debris andtrash. These dumpsters are typically hauled to the work site, where theyremain until either full of trash, or until the particular job iscompleted. Such dumpsters may have a size ranging from 5 to 10 feetwide, 4 to 8 feet high, and 10 to 20 feet long, for example. Typically,dumpsters suitable for construction sites have a relatively large doorat one end, through which debris is placed into the container,oftentimes by workers who carry, throw, use a wheelbarrow, or drive thedebris into the dumpster, using a small front-end loader, for example.However, the conventional approaches to filling such dumpsters maypresent a safety hazard to workers. In particular, it has been observedthat when a wheelbarrow is used to roll debris into a dumpster, oldpieces of plywood, damaged doors, or backfill are often used asmakeshift ramps to allow rolling or carrying the debris from the groundlevel up to the floor of the dumpster, which may be at a height ofapproximately six inches to two feet or more above the ground level.This can present a safety problem for the worker or those around him,particularly when dealing with large, heavy, or unwieldy items.

[0004] Conventional dumpsters, as sold, do not include a ramp suitablefor a person to walk, push a wheelbarrow, or drive a vehicle, e.g.,front-end loader, into the dumpster. We are not aware of any aftermarketdesign or sales of ramps suitable for modifying commercial trashdumpsters to alleviate the above-discussed safety concerns associatedwith work place use of utility trash receptacles or dumpsters. We havealso determined that there is potentially great commercial interest inhaving such a ramp available for adding to an existing trash receptacle,or for incorporation into the manufacture of new commercial trashcontainers, particularly for dumpsters used in the constructionindustry, for example.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one embodiment of the invention, a container, e.g., a trashdumpster or receptacle, includes a bottom and a plurality of sidessuitably arranged to define a volume. An opening on at least one of thesides is present, with or without a door, which allows entry into thecontainer. A first ramp-like transition element preferably spans aninterior bottom surface of the container adjacent to the opening and asurface external to the container when the first transition element isin an operating position. The first transition element provides astep-free pathway which extends between the interior bottom surface andthe external surface, for example, the ground.

[0006] In another embodiment of the invention, a ramp suitable forattachment to and use with a trash container preferably includes a firstpart hingedly connected to a second part, wherein the first part of theramp is adapted to overlay an end portion of the bottom of the trashcontainer. The second part is preferably thicker than the first part,thus rendering the second part suitable for safely supporting a personand/or a wheeled or tracked vehicle, e.g., a front-end loader.Preferably, the second part of the ramp comprises a non-skid safetymaterial, for example diamond tread and/or grip strut.

[0007] Further scope and applicability of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.However, it should be understood that the detailed description andspecific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 depicts a conventional container, commonly known as a trashdumpster, which is representative of containers in widespread use inindustrial and commercial activities;

[0009]FIG. 2A illustrates one aspect of an embodiment of the inventivecontainer and also represents an alternative embodiment directed to aramp which is suitable for use with the container or dumpster;

[0010]FIG. 2B illustrates one possible arrangement which includes astorage rack;

[0011]FIG. 2C illustrates side and top views of alternative means forattachment of the ramp to the dumpster bed;

[0012]FIG. 2D illustrates an alternative spring-loaded pin usable as ameans for attachment of the ramp to the dumpster bed;

[0013]FIG. 2E depicts, in right-hand and left-hand sections, twoalternative arrangements of holes through which the ramp may be attachedto the dumpster bed;

[0014]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate top and side views, respectively, ofanother aspect of the first embodiment of the inventive container whichincludes two ramps with an adjustable separation distance; and

[0015]FIG. 4 illustrates a ramp constructed to be “integral” with thedumpster bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The first embodiment of the invention will now be discussed withreference to the Drawings. Turning now to FIG. 1, a conventionalcontainer 100, e.g., a trash dumpster or receptacle, is shown whichillustrates one problem overcome by the claimed invention. That is, thebottom or bed 110 of container 100 is seen to be at a height H above thesurface of the ground 120 upon which container 100 rests. Since, forstructural reasons, the bottom 110 of container 100 is, in most cases,unable to be located flush or near flush with the ground, carrying orwheeling objects, e.g., debris, into the container requires a step upinto the container, and a step down on the way out of the container.This difference in height can be difficult to compensate for,particularly when using wheeled vehicles, such as a wheelbarrow orfront-end loader.

[0017]FIG. 2A illustrates one embodiment of the invention. Although notdeterminative of the overall inventive concept, steel, aluminum, othermetals, or fiberglass and composite materials may be used to constructthe various components of a commercial embodiment. Container 200includes bottom 210 and a plurality of sides 221 suitably arranged todefine a space or volume within the container 200. An opening on atleast one of the sides is present, with or without an optional door (notshown), which allows entry into container 200. First transition element240, for example, spans an interior bottom surface or dumpster bed 215of the container adjacent to opening 230 and a surface 250 external tothe container when first transition element 240 is in an operatingposition. First transition element 240 provides a step-free pathwaywhich extends between dumpster bed 215 and the external surface 250,which may be, for example, the ground or a flooring surface.

[0018] In a further aspect of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 2Bstorage rack 270 may be arranged either underneath bottom 210, or on oneside 221 (not shown) of trash dumpster 200. Storage rack 270 is adaptedto receive and stow first transition element or ramp 240 while in anon-operating or stowage position, and may be constructed from angledand/or bar stock material.. For safety, restraining means 280, such as achain, length of wire, wire rope, or a bolt or pin, for example, ensuresthat first transition element 240 selectively remains in the stowedposition while the dumpster 200 is being transported, for example.

[0019] In a further aspect of this embodiment, and referring back toFIG. 2A, first transition element 240 is preferably connected to bottom210 of container 200 near an end portion of dumpster 200. In thisembodiment, transition element or ramp 240 preferably includes firstpart 241 connected to second part 242 by a hinge 245, wherein first part241 is adapted to overlay an end portion of the interior bottom surface215 of container 200, and wherein second part 242 is thicker than firstpart 241.

[0020] Second part 242 may include strengthening means, e.g., sideplates 244, for stiffening second part 241, and which may be arrangedalong two edge portions of second part 242, for example. Thestrengthening means 244 may be tapered at the end which contacts ground250 to improve stability. Even more preferably, second part 242 includesa skid-resistant safety material, such as diamond tread 246 and/or gripstrut 247 for improved traction and safety, including drainage of waterfrom the ramp through holes in the ramp surface. As an alternativestowage position, the second part or bottom portion of the ramp may beupwardly rotated into a position essentially perpendicular to the bottomof the container.

[0021] In order to better ensure stability of ramp 240 during operation,attachment means are preferably provided to connect first transitionelement 240 to interior bottom surface 215 while first transitionelement 240 is in an operating position. As shown in FIG. 2A, theattachment means may include one or more hooks 248A adapted to engagecorresponding engagement hole 248B in interior bottom surface 215 ofcontainer 200.

[0022] Hooks 248A may be bent from flat or round bar stock metal, forexample. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2C, the attachment means mayinclude pin 248C extending through holes 248B aligned through both firsttransition element 240 and interior bottom surface 215 of container 200.As illustrated in FIG. 2D, pin 248C may be a spring-loaded pin 248C′having lifting eye 248C″ on an exposed end.

[0023] Further, and as shown in FIG. 2E, engagement hole 248B in firsttransition element 240 may be a slotted elongated hole 248B′ whichallows movement of first transition element 240 with respect to interiorbottom surface 215 of container 200.

[0024] In a further aspect, in addition to or in lieu of restrainingmeans 280, pin 248C may be arranged so as to be capable of restrainingfirst transition element 240 in the operating position, as well as in astowed, non-operational position within storage rack 270. Further, pin248C may include at least one through-piece 248C1 extending essentiallyperpendicularly through cylindrical body 248C2 of pin 248C, as shown inFIG. 2C. To accommodate this type of pin, and to provide a lockingfunction, engagement hole 248B in first transition element 240preferably has a key-like shape 248B″ portrayed in the right-handportion of FIG. 2E, which essentially allows registration with across-section of pin 248C.

[0025] In another aspect of this embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A and 3B,a two-tracked ramp for container 300 (not shown for clarity) furtherincludes second transition element 390 connected to first transitionelement 340 via coupling element 396, parts of which are connectedtogether by hinge 345 which, in turn, connects to the bottom of thedumpster. Thus, the dual pathway ramp allows a vehicle, e.g., afront-end loader (“Bobcat®” or other type), to enter into at least aportion of the container to dump debris into container 300. Secondtransition element 390, similar to or the same as first transitionelement 240 depicted in FIG. 2A, preferably spans the dumpster bedadjacent to its opening and the ground surface 250 when first and secondtransition elements 340, 390 are in the operating position.

[0026] To accommodate laterally spaced wheeled or tracked vehicles,second transition element 390 is preferably arranged laterally separatedfrom, and essentially parallel to first transition element 340 to definespace 395 therebetween. Preferably, a means for adjustment is arrangedto adjust the lateral separation 395 between first and second transitionelements 340, 390. Such adjustment means preferably includes adjustablespacer element 397, which may be formed from nested telescoping tubes397A and 397B, which have different, cooperative diameters so that onetube nests within the other. Circular or non-circular cross-sectionedtubes may be used, and the separation distance may be set by fixing thenested tubes 397A and 397B together using bolts or pins (not shown), forexample, through holes 397C.

[0027] Turning now to FIG. 4, an alternative aspect of this embodimentis illustrated. In this alternative aspect, container 400 (not shown forclarity) includes first transition element 440 preferably connected tothe bottom of container 400 by hinge 445 at an end of first transitionelement 440 which is separated from the opening of container 400. Thatis, the ramp or first transition element 440 is essentially “integral”with dumpster bottom 410, allowing the surface of the ramp, in anon-operating position, to lie essentially flush with dumpster bed 415of container 400. When released into an operating position, i.e., aposition in which a person, wheelbarrow, or other wheeled or trackedvehicle can enter container 400 via ramp 440, an end of the ramp orfirst transition element 440 nearest the open end of container 400 maybe lowered to the ground 450, to provide a transition piece having astep-free pathway from the exterior of container 400 onto bottom 410 ofcontainer 400.

[0028] Although the exact dimensions of the above-described containersand ramps are not necessarily critical to an understanding or practiceof the invention, various component thicknesses, widths, heights, etc.,and specific material characteristics may be determined by a personhaving skill in the art, in light of the specific application andfunction desired, and the dynamic weight to be supported, whileaccounting for appropriate mechanical safety factors of weight support,structural flexure, and stress/strain.

[0029] For example, the width of ramp 240 may be selected to be in therange of 12-24 inches, and the overall length of ramp 240 may be in therange of approximately 3-4 feet, or more, depending on the relative sizeof the container upon which the ramp is to be installed. Plating used ina commercial embodiment may include ¼-inch aluminum diamond plate, whileside plate 244 may be ¼-inch aluminum bar stock. Hinge 245 may be aso-called “piano hinge” extending across all or a portion of the widthof ramp 240.

[0030] In second, related embodiment of the invention, a ramp suitablefor attachment to, and use with conventional trash container 100 in anaftermarket sale scenario, is represented by first transition element240, as previously illustrated in FIG. 2A. For brevity, and to avoidunnecessary redundancy, reference to the previous description of thefirst embodiment is made to provide the disclosure of ramp 240, standingapart from container 200.

[0031] It will be obvious that the disclosed invention may be varied inmany ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications aswould be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the following claims. The breadth and scope of thepresent invention is therefore limited only by the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by letters patent of the United States is:
 1. A container, comprising: a bottom and a plurality of sides suitably arranged to define a volume therebetween; an opening suitably adapted to allow entry into the container, said opening being located on at least one of the sides; and a first transition element spanning an interior bottom surface of the container adjacent to the opening and a surface external to the container when the first transition element is in an operating position, said first transition element providing a step-free pathway extending between the interior bottom surface and the external surface.
 2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a storage rack connected to one of the bottom and a side, said storage rack being adapted to receive the first transition element while in a non-operating position.
 3. The container of claim 2, further comprising restraining means for ensuring that the first transition element selectively remains in the non-operating position.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the first transition element is hingedly connected to the bottom of the container at an end of the first transition element located distal from the opening.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein a surface of the first transition element, in a non-operating position, lies essentially flush with the interior bottom surface of the container.
 6. The container of claim 5, further comprising restraining means for ensuring that the first transition element selectively remains in the non-operating position.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the first transition element comprises: a first part hingedly connected to a second part, wherein the first part is adapted to overlay an end portion of the interior bottom surface of the container, and wherein the second part is thicker than the first part.
 8. The container of claim 7, wherein the second part includes strengthening means for stiffening the second part.
 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the strengthening means is arranged at least along two edge portions of the second part.
 10. The container of claim 8, wherein the strengthening means is tapered at an end which contacts the surface external to the container.
 11. The container of claim 7, wherein the second part comprises a nonskid safety material.
 12. The container of claim 7, wherein the second part, in a stowage position, is rotated into a position essentially perpendicular to the bottom.
 13. The container of claim 1, further comprising a second transition element connected to the first transition element, wherein the second transition element spans the interior bottom surface of the container adjacent to the opening and the surface external to the container when the first and second transition elements are in the operating position, said second transition element being laterally separated from and essentially parallel to the first transition element to define a space therebetween.
 14. The container of claim 13, further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the lateral separation between the first and second transition elements.
 15. The container of claim 1, further comprising attachment means for connecting the first transition element to the interior bottom surface of the container adjacent to the opening while the first transition element is in an operating position.
 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the attachment means comprises one or more hooks adapted to engage a corresponding hole in the interior bottom surface of the container.
 17. The container of claim 15, wherein the attachment means comprises a pin extending through holes aligned through both the first transition element and the interior bottom surface of the container.
 18. The container of claim 17, wherein the pin is a spring-loaded pin having a lifting eye on an exposed end.
 19. The container of claim 17, wherein a hole in the first transition element is a slotted elongated hole which allows movement of the first transition element with respect to the interior bottom surface of the container.
 20. The container of claim 17, wherein the pin is arranged to restrain the first transition element in both the operating position and a stowed, non-operational position.
 21. The container of claim 20, wherein the pin comprises at least one through-piece extending essentially perpendicularly through a cylindrical body of the pin.
 22. The container of claim 20, wherein a hole in the first transition element has a key-like shape essentially corresponding to a cross-section of the pin.
 23. A ramp suitable for attachment to and use with a trash container having a bottom and a plurality of sides suitably arranged to define a volume therebetween, the ramp comprising: a first part hingedly connected to a second part, wherein the first part is adapted to overlay an end portion of the bottom of the trash container, wherein the second part is thicker than the first part, and wherein the second part is suitable for safely supporting a person and a wheeled vehicle.
 24. The ramp of claim 23, wherein the second part comprises a non-skid safety material.
 25. The ramp of claim 23, wherein the second part comprises strengthening means for stiffening the second part.
 26. The ramp of claim 25, wherein the strengthening means is arranged at least along two edge portions of the second part.
 27. The ramp of claim 25, wherein the strengthening means is tapered at an end which, along with the second part, contacts a surface external to the container. 